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Tech Corner => Capacitors => Topic started by: kajak12 on April 07, 2011, 10:50:48 PM

Title: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on April 07, 2011, 10:50:48 PM
http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_film_duelund_alexander.html
Title: Re: new duellund caps
Post by: ozmillsy on April 11, 2011, 10:00:13 PM
you gunna try 'em Mario?    How much are they ......
Title: Re: new duellund caps
Post by: kajak12 on April 11, 2011, 11:31:27 PM
you gunna try 'em Mario?    How much are they ......
i might try them in my amp as decoupling caps i think the highest value is 1uf 900v (will find out more info soon)
about $90
i must try oz you never know could give more perfect squares ;)
Title: Re: new duellund caps
Post by: ozmillsy on April 12, 2011, 06:17:47 PM
i must try oz you never know could give more perfect squares ;)
lol !     8)
Title: Re: new duellund caps
Post by: zenelectro on April 14, 2011, 02:45:43 AM
i must try oz you never know could give more perfect squares ;)
lol !     8)

$90 for a 'budget' cap - yeah right!

 

Title: Re: new duellund caps
Post by: kajak12 on April 14, 2011, 09:02:59 PM
i must try oz you never know could give more perfect squares ;)
lol !     8)

$90 for a 'budget' cap - yeah right!
thats cheap for duellund terry
Title: Re: new duellund caps
Post by: ozcal on May 10, 2011, 07:29:53 PM
Ordered a couple of 0.1uf Alexanders today to compare to the Auricaps in the Supratek.
Will let you all know how they sound soon.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: tuyen on May 11, 2011, 05:12:09 PM
Nice Gordon. Knew someone around here was eventually gonna take the plunge :)
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on May 28, 2011, 05:08:23 PM
Well the Alexanders are in the pre , replacing the auricaps.
I think I have about 4 hrs on the caps and so far the results are generally +ve. The sound has more 'bounce' , better timbral resolution ,  more powerful , faster and better resolved bass.
Top -end is a bit rough at the moment but I guess this will smooth out with run -in.
Tunefulness ie PRAT have improved quite a bit.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on June 09, 2011, 04:49:31 PM
Just a quick update : Really enjoying the music with the new caps. Top -end is still a bit wirey but the sound is so full of life compared to the Auricaps.
Another hundred hours or so will hopefully see the top end improve.
So far these new caps are great value for money to my ears.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: stevenvalve on June 09, 2011, 08:40:15 PM
Just a quick update : Really enjoying the music with the new caps. Top -end is still a bit wirey but the sound is so full of life compared to the Auricaps.
Another hundred hours or so will hopefully see the top end improve.
So far these new caps are great value for money to my ears.
Let us know about these caps after a long run in.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on June 10, 2011, 06:44:46 PM
Will so Steven.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on July 28, 2011, 06:18:18 PM
Hi GUY'S still getting the wireyness in the mids with the Alexanders. They do so much so well but the wireyness is v.tiresome.
My new power amp Rotel Michi RHB10 has a 4.7uf Blackgate FK as the input cap so I am thinking of changing it to something with more body in the mids in the hope of balancing the sound. Any suggestions? Price is a big consideration at the mo so I was thinking of replacing the BG FK with Auricaps , any comments ?
Gordon
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on July 28, 2011, 06:24:40 PM
Hi GUY'S still getting the wireyness in the mids with the Alexanders. They do so much so well but the wireyness is v.tiresome.
My new power amp Rotel Michi RHB10 has a 4.7uf Blackgate FK as the input cap so I am thinking of changing it to something with more body in the mids in the hope of balancing the sound. Any suggestions? Price is a big consideration at the mo so I was thinking of replacing the BG FK with Auricaps , any comments ?
Gordon
auricap will do gordon much more body the black gates
Try ampohm gordon they have a very rich mid range
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on July 29, 2011, 12:32:22 PM
Thanks Mario.
I have AMPohms in the dac and pre and I like what they do but space inside the power amp is very tight.
I'LL give the Auricaps a go and see how it sounds. The resistor after BG is  a Vishay metal film  would it be worth changing this for one of the Amtrans  carbon films?
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on July 29, 2011, 03:00:00 PM
Thanks Mario.
I have AMPohms in the dac and pre and I like what they do but space inside the power amp is very tight.
I'LL give the Auricaps a go and see how it sounds. The resistor after BG is  a Vishay metal film  would it be worth changing this for one of the Amtrans  carbon films?
my suggestion ( a guess) takman,allen bradley,audionote tantulum 
what value is it?
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on July 29, 2011, 03:01:11 PM
Thanks Mario.
I have AMPohms in the dac and pre and I like what they do but space inside the power amp is very tight.

Heaps of room outside the power amp ozcal good old flying leads with cat 5 :P
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on July 29, 2011, 05:00:08 PM
He , he , now how did I know you were going to say that? ;D
Value of the resistor is 1k ohm.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on July 29, 2011, 05:09:24 PM
He , he , now how did I know you were going to say that? ;D
Value of the resistor is 1k ohm.
I have a allen bradley 1k but only 1 in stock i will have a look at my collection just in case i have something for you
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on July 29, 2011, 05:51:13 PM
Cheers Mario.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on July 29, 2011, 06:41:30 PM
I guess you need 2? one for each channel
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on July 30, 2011, 01:37:33 PM
Yep one for each chn.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on July 30, 2011, 02:55:23 PM
Yep one for each chn.
i have only one 1k resistor in stock the last pair i used for i/v conversion on a dac
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on July 30, 2011, 04:49:44 PM
No worries Mario , I 'll pick up something from hfc whn I have the cash.
Have you tried the Amtrans carbons yet ?
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: Jehuty on July 30, 2011, 10:26:46 PM
Hi ozcal,

I found this on eBay:
1 ALLEN BRADLEY Carbon Comp Resistor RCR 1k 5% 2 watt, linky: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-ALLEN-BRADLEY-Carbon-Comp-Resistor-RCR-1k-5-2-watt-/390002718939?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5acdf938db

Cheers,
William
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on August 01, 2011, 05:38:01 PM
Thnaks William , will look into those.
Gordon
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on August 02, 2011, 07:08:21 PM
Hi guy's just another quick update. I replaced my home made twisted pair solid core interconnects with varnish insulation with some Linn standard interconnects and the wireyness in the sound has been greatly reduced with no easily apparent downside.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on November 25, 2011, 06:09:15 PM
Well I have now percivered with the Deulands for 6 months or so and the wireyness is still there.
Today ,I ordered a pair of AMPOHM CU in oil .The pre amp will now run all Ampohms in the head unit.
Shame really as the Deulands do so much so well ,guess they are just not a good fit in that position in the Supratek.
Will let you know how the Ampohms go.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: kajak12 on November 25, 2011, 09:55:50 PM
Well I have now percivered with the Deulands for 6 months or so and the wireyness is still there.
Today ,I ordered a pair of AMPOHM CU in oil .The pre amp will now run all Ampohms in the head unit.
Shame really as the Deulands do so much so well ,guess they are just not a good fit in that position in the Supratek.
Will let you know how the Ampohms go.
What is wireyness?
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on November 25, 2011, 11:41:50 PM
I'm also interested in "Wirey-ness" or however it is termed, haven't heard the term before.

Gordon, is it an edgy-ness? a sharp leading edge or something?
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on November 26, 2011, 01:32:27 PM
That's the problem with trying to describe sound in words ;D
Data , I guess edginess is a good description too. It is most apparent on vocals.
Hardness in the upper mids would also be a good descrition.
Anyway , the Ampohms should be here next week and we will see how things go.
Otherwise the system is sounding the best it ever has so if I can get this issue sorted I can start to focus on building a new hi-res dac to compliment the Satch.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on November 26, 2011, 02:20:11 PM
Thanks mate, I understand now :)

Been considering them as coupling caps for my amp, so looking at views on them.

Will definitely be interesting to see how ampohm's fair...Fingers crossed they are just the ticket for the supratek.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: zenelectro on November 26, 2011, 03:34:35 PM
That's the problem with trying to describe sound in words ;D
Data , I guess edginess is a good description too. It is most apparent on vocals.
Hardness in the upper mids would also be a good descrition.
Anyway , the Ampohms should be here next week and we will see how things go.
Otherwise the system is sounding the best it ever has so if I can get this issue sorted I can start to focus on building a new hi-res dac to compliment the Satch.

So the big question is do he Duelunds show something that is maybe actually in the pre amp or is the
wireyness the Duelunds themselves.

This is always problem of system / product development - is it chicken or egg.

T
 


Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on November 26, 2011, 03:41:34 PM
That's the problem with trying to describe sound in words ;D
Data , I guess edginess is a good description too. It is most apparent on vocals.
Hardness in the upper mids would also be a good descrition.
Anyway , the Ampohms should be here next week and we will see how things go.
Otherwise the system is sounding the best it ever has so if I can get this issue sorted I can start to focus on building a new hi-res dac to compliment the Satch.

So the big question is do he Duelunds show something that is maybe actually in the pre amp or is the
wireyness the Duelunds themselves.

This is always problem of system / product development - is it chicken or egg.

T
 



My thoughts exactly Z. Others have reported excellent results with the Alexanders but their equipment and applications are different to mine , so still no further ahead really :)
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on November 26, 2011, 03:44:33 PM
I'm with Zen' on this, I'm thinking that the edginess is not being produced by the caps, and the culprit is to be found elsewhere.

Hang onto those caps Ozcal, and see if you can find the real criminal!

Edit:Oops...didn't see ya' post mate :)

I have some Chinese Mil' surplus caps in my amp and have thought them a bit too veiled and dark, was going to replace them soon, but found that the hookup wire I used to connect them was the offender (1mm copper...what was I thinking!), change it to 24 gauge Neotech copper and I have my detail back!
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on November 26, 2011, 03:47:38 PM
Thanks mate, I understand now :)

Been considering them as coupling caps for my amp, so looking at views on them.

Will definitely be interesting to see how ampohm's fair...Fingers crossed they are just the ticket for the supratek.
The main caps : running from the valve ouput to the transformers are already Aohm cu in oil and they provided an improvement in tonality compared to the Stock Auricaps.
If the  second set of Aohms replacing the Alexanders make the sound too warm , slow or mushy then I still have the Auricaps to pop back in that position.
The combo of Ampohm between valave and output trafo and Auricap between valve and gain switch did seem to work well.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on November 26, 2011, 03:52:24 PM
Call me mad....... but could the offending edginess be caused by something other than caps?

Edit: Changing the cap mix might be compensating for it, but maybe it would be better to find the cause and cure it....(change/alter the offender)
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on November 26, 2011, 04:24:57 PM
I am sure it could be caused by something else Ian , where should I look?
The problem was not noticeable / there b4 the Alexanders went in.
Chicken and egg , indeed  :D
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on November 26, 2011, 05:16:56 PM
Yeah, the new caps are more like a piece of wire (as close as one can be, apart from the cast variety I guess), and is showing something that was hidden by the previous caps.

You will find the culprit, and be able to enjoy those lovely caps :)

So before the Supra' so maybe the interconnects, or as you suspect, the DAC .

Edit:The Duelunds are doing input duties in the pre, are they not?
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on December 20, 2011, 06:52:12 PM
Well the Ampohms arrived today , swapped out the Alexanders and the wireyness has gone. Tone is warmer but detail and timbral res. have improved.
Guess the Alexanders were just not a great match for the rest of the system.
Now to start work on the dac upgrades. New case like OZmillsy's has arrived as have some Shinko tantalum resitors and silver mica caps for the discrete I/V 'stage'.
Still waiting on some caps from Lukasz before I begin the transplant to the new case.
G
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on December 29, 2011, 04:06:28 AM
Good to hear you sorted out that issue.

Hmm...I'm planning on getting the Deulunds next week, but am very tempted with Andyn Copper caps due to the lower cost.

But then, will I be forever wondering if I made a compromise  :-[

I better get the Deulunds...
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on January 18, 2012, 05:04:26 PM
Caps came today and I have just fired it up (15min ago), noticing a very natural, uncoloured sound with realistic detail, micro as well.

Instruments and voices sound more real than I have heard them before from my system, these are going to be very good once run-in :)

(They are black)  ;)
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on January 18, 2012, 05:10:41 PM
Great stuff Ian
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on January 18, 2012, 07:05:10 PM
Hay Gordon, was going to wait till I have a bit of time up on them, but had to give a first impression.

I had been actually worried that the step up might not be all that I had hoped for, and should have spent the $$ on something else....i was wrong.

Listening to Tori Amos, that resent one, and there is a lot of piano....and it is just lovely, the classical acoustic backing is all very breath taking, and her daughter sounds more like a girl of 10, before hand not so much, all very true to life (as far as my ears go).

Sound stage has improved also, got to get lots of hours up now, but that means I need more vinyl  ;D
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: linnmaster on April 01, 2012, 08:21:13 AM
Personally, these I feel give me the best sound I have yet to hear on my preamp.  Haven't tried the AmpOhms, but I have read good things about them.  Would not mind trying them, but then again, cannot be bothered with the mod if only to ultimately run with Duelund CAST Cu or Blacks ... One day ... one day ....
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: stevenvalve on April 01, 2012, 04:54:37 PM
Personally, these I feel give me the best sound I have yet to hear on my preamp.  Haven't tried the AmpOhms, but I have read good things about them.  Would not mind trying them, but then again, cannot be bothered with the mod if only to ultimately run with Duelund CAST Cu or Blacks ... One day ... one day ....
 The Duelund VSF  Cu is the best cap i have ever heard, and by a long way, even better than the more expensive PIO.  But the point is, even if a cap arrives that is better, that cannot take away from the fact that the Duelund VSF Cu is still a great great cap, they are so good its hard to believe there is better cap, but as you know there is allways a contender around that corner. But ultimately synergy rules the cap roust.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: Jehuty on April 01, 2012, 06:36:09 PM
You probably meant Duelund VSF Steve? Duelund CAST is the more expensive PIO.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on April 01, 2012, 08:02:52 PM
Yup, and the Alexandra apparently uses the same oil as the high end CAST, but while I love the Alexandra caps, I'm sure they are not in the same league as the VSF's or CAST caps, even though I have not heard them in an amp, I have only heard the VSF's, and that was in Bill's ML-3's.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: linnmaster on April 02, 2012, 10:06:09 AM
Unfortuantely, I don't believe I can run with the VSF range.  I would have chosen this path ultimately but I think the VSF are not in the voltage range.  Hence I am stuck with CAST and BLACK.  I need 400V min ... the Alexander's are 900V rated?  I can't remember now.

I run 3.3uf per channel at the moment ...  but I think I can get away with 2.2 in this position (just prior to Volume pot).  I have used 5uf, 47uf in this location before, and then 22uf.  3.3uf seems to work well, so I don't feel the need to reduce it down futher.

- David
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on April 02, 2012, 12:13:15 PM
The VSF's were also not an option for me due to the voltage, and they were out of my price range too.

Yes, the Alexandra is 900v.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: audiophool on April 02, 2012, 12:32:51 PM
Linnmaster, I am curious about your requirement for over 400v prior to the volume control.
I am far from an expert, but most volume controls attenuate the input signal prior to amplification, in which case they will only see a few volts peak to peak.
Perhaps your design is something I have not seen? (there are plenty)
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: linnmaster on April 05, 2012, 11:25:17 PM
That's a good point Audiophool ... I have no idea ... but I haven't actually measured the voltage across the cap ...  I don't actually know the circuit design ... only going by what the designer said.  Maybe there is something behind caps 400V min rated ... not too sure ...
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: audiophool on November 13, 2012, 02:04:10 PM
Different application from Gordon's, but I have recently replaced a pair of Ampohm Cu with a pair of Alexanders and the difference is very worthwhile in my application, coupling driver and power tubes in my Eric McC 2A3 amp.
Caps have now had around 300 hours and sounding positively delicious, cannot hear a downside in this application.
Ever't'ing much mo betta - I like very much these caps.
Granted they are 0.47 and the Ampohm were 0.33 which was what I had, but bass extension is improved and the entire tonal palette seems more "fleshed out", upright bass and piano benefit a lot, but instrument separation and definition seems improved and handclaps seem to have gained flesh on the hands while the top end is neither ignored nor accentuated.
Listening to Jazz at the Pawnshop and being able to listen to the interplay of the musicians and their individual contributions as they pass it to and fro with the background of the live venue. Being able to appreciate what a great job was done with the mike placements and fairly basic mix panel used for the recordings.
Nothing emphasised and everything discernable, distinct and in proper proportion, both tonally and dynamically.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on November 14, 2012, 06:56:54 PM
Same application as myself, and the description of benefits are very much what I noticed too  8)

Although I replaced Mundorf S&O's rather than Ampohm.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozmillsy on November 18, 2012, 08:05:08 AM
Pawnshop sure is a great reference recording !
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on December 04, 2012, 06:42:05 PM
Decided to give the Alexanders another go now that the psu  for my pre has been fully upgraded .
I still have the 0.1uf 's from the previous attempt and have bought a pair of 1uF so that all the Ampohms can be swapped out.
Should be able to fit them tommorow.
Will post my thoughts after a bit of burn in.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on December 06, 2012, 07:08:46 PM
Alexanders are in the pre but sounding pretty bright at the moment. Run in time again :D
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on December 10, 2012, 05:30:23 PM
Hi guy's got a few more hours on the caps , brightness has deminished but the sound is still a bit flat and hi-fi ish. Loss of scale and depth compared to the really well run in Ampohms.
Running in continues ;D
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on December 14, 2012, 03:25:10 PM
Hi guy's , Sound now getting much better , the flow and musicality that I like is starting to  happen. :D
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: audiophool on December 14, 2012, 08:43:33 PM
I have heard a good few headphone amps and phono stages take up to 600 hrs of power on time to fully develop, so I am never in a rush for the full development of new capacitors.
Sounds like they are coming along nicely.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: ozcal on January 04, 2013, 06:26:40 PM
Hi guys , just a quick note to say I am really enjoying the sound of the music now that the caps are bedded in. It is difficult to say just how much and where the sound is better as it's so long since I replaced the Ampohms and then , of course there is the new dac.
Title: Re: new Duelund Alexander caps
Post by: data on January 08, 2013, 08:48:03 AM
Excellent!

Glad they are working well for you this time  8)